Most individuals worry hornets, however they’re surprisingly shy and solely grow to be aggressive once they need to be. That is additionally true for 2 new-for-2025 Honda Hornet bikes. After creating buzz in Europe since 2023, the long-awaited CB750 Hornet and CB1000 Hornet SP have lastly landed within the U.S., able to inject contemporary power into the streetfighter class. Each supply aggressive styling, trendy tech, and finely tuned efficiency that targets everybody from new to veteran riders.
Honda invited us to check each Hornets throughout a two-day press journey throughout almost 400 miles of California’s scenic Sierra Nevada foothills and historic Gold Nation. From twisty canyons to roller-coaster roads and sun-drenched highways, we obtained pleasant with these two sharp additions to Honda’s lineup.
Day 1: Honda CB750 Hornet
We kicked off from downtown Sacramento, using northeast into the Sierra Nevada foothills towards Auburn State Recreation Space, looping again by way of Placerville. This 200-mile route gave us an opportunity to place the CB750 Hornet by means of its paces, and it delivered.
The CB750’s 755cc Unicam parallel-Twin is shared with the XL750 Transalpand it’s an absolute deal with. It’s clean down low however actually comes alive within the mid to higher rev vary. The 270-degree crank provides it a throaty, participating really feel, and for a inventory exhaust, the sound is surprisingly deep and growly. I really like the tune of the exhaust; it impressed me an increasing number of all through the journey.
What actually units the CB750 aside is its dealing with. With a 422-lb curb weight and a stiff steel-diamond body, it feels flickable and lightweight on its ft. The Michelin Street 6 tires with a 160/70 rear assist the bike dive into corners confidently and carve by means of canyon roads. The Showa suspension, a nonadjustable Separate Operate Fork-Large Piston and preload-adjustable, remote-reservoir Professional-Hyperlink shock with 5.1 inches of journey entrance and rear, punches above its weight. It dealt with no matter I threw at it! From absorbing bumps and maintaining issues planted throughout spirited using to bringing the entrance wheel up on command, it took all of it in stride.
Consolation and value have been clearly high of thoughts when designing the CB750. At 5-foot-6, I discovered the 31.3-inch seat top approachable, and the upright ergos, vast handlebar, and barely rear-set pegs present a pure, in-control place. There are a number of journey modes to select from: Normal, Sport, Rain, and customizable Person 1 and Person 2. Person modes permit the rider to set preferences for throttle response, engine braking, and traction management, including to the bike’s versatility. The 5-inch TFT show is crisp and simple to learn, and Honda’s RoadSync integration provides smartphone performance like navigation, calls, and music. Menus and settings are managed by way of a four-way backlit swap on the left grip. All lighting is LED, there’s a USB-C port beneath the seat, and turnsignals are self-canceling.
The CB750 Hornet is the definition of a “sleeper.” It may not scream superbike, nevertheless it delivers thrills in abundance, particularly on twisty roads. It’s extra composed and fewer twitchy than rivals just like the Yamaha MT-07, but it nonetheless has that uncooked 2-cylinder attraction. The electronics are useful with out being overbearing, and the ergonomics make it accessible for a variety of riders. The dealing with is sharp, the powerband is thrilling however manageable, and the entire package deal feels mild, intuitive, and enjoyable. Maintaining with the opposite riders on the CB1000 was no difficulty whereas using the CB750, and I couldn’t maintain again my grin whereas chasing them down!
GEAR UP
For commuting, backroad bombing, or something in between, the CB750 Hornet is a assured, charismatic middleweight that delivers versatile efficiency for an affordable worth. It’s an ideal entry-level or improve machine for newer riders, nevertheless it received’t go away seasoned riders bored.
Day 2: Honda CB1000 Hornet SP
The second day introduced a shift in character and equipment. Using by means of California’s Gold Nation on a 190-mile loop, I stepped as much as the CB1000 Hornet SP. This bike brings big-boy efficiency with premium touches, and you are feeling it the second you twist the throttle.
Powered by a re-tuned 998cc inline-4 from the 2017 CBR1000RR, the CB1000 Hornet SP is clean, quick, and stuffed with character. It’s paired with a throttle-by-wire system with rider modes (Sport, Normal, Rain, Person 1, and Person 2) and a 6-speed transmission with a slip/help clutch. The SP can also be outfitted with a quickshifter with auto-blip capabilities, and the quickshifter’s sensitivity will be adjusted to reply to a softer to more durable press of the shifter.
Regardless of being derived from a superbike engine, the CB1000 Hornet SP felt completely controllable. The ability by no means appeared an excessive amount of and positively not too little. The linear energy supply was so clean that I didn’t notice how briskly I used to be going till I appeared down on the speedo…and noticed a excessive quantity!
Whereas heavier than the CB750, the CB1000 didn’t really feel like a lumbering brute. Its Bridgestone Battleax S22 tires with a 180/70 rear delivered wonderful grip and agility. It took extra muscle than the CB750 to flick it into tight turns, nevertheless it responded predictably and with poise. The absolutely adjustable 41mm inverted Showa SFF-BP fork and absolutely adjustable Öhlins TTX36 rear shock are a giant improve, maintaining the journey composed even when pushing laborious on lower than excellent pavement. The CB1000 completely shocked me with how snug it felt at differing speeds and using environments. It dealt with excellently within the twisties, comfortably on the freeway, and simple in metropolis commuting.
Braking was equally spectacular, because of Brembo Stylema entrance calipers squeezing 310mm discs, critical {hardware} with actual chunk. The rubber brake strains didn’t appear to restrict the efficiency of the brakes, and the ABS was not intrusive. The one hiccup for me was the Honda Selectable Torque Management (aka traction management), which felt a bit too longing for my style. Wheelie management can also be built-in into HSTC, however fortunately, it’s simple to show off so I might take a look at how mild I might make the entrance finish.
Just like the CB750, the CB1000 has a 5-inch TFT show with three show modes and Honda’s new RoadSync system, which pairs to a smartphone by way of Bluetooth. It additionally has a four-way backlit menu controller on the left grip, LED lighting, self-canceling turnsignals, and a USB-C port beneath the seat.
The CB1000 Hornet SP is the grown-up sibling. It’s not as instantly playful because the CB750, nevertheless it brings a degree of refinement, pace, and tech that locations it firmly amongst different bare bikes such because the Yamaha MT-10. Regardless of its energy and dimension, it’s surprisingly approachable. The engine is predictable and tractable, the electronics make it customizable, and the chassis feels stable at each excessive and low speeds. The Öhlins shock provides it an edge in journey high quality, and the Brembo brakes present loads of stopping energy. And let’s not overlook that traditional inline-4 sound and efficiency, a staple amongst sportbike fans.
The SP is a motorbike that feels proper at dwelling on a Sunday backroad dash, on lengthy stretches of freeway, and even within the shut quarters of metropolis using. For knowledgeable riders who need sportbike thrills with out committing to clip-ons and race ergonomics, the CB1000 Hornet SP hits the candy spot.
Honda Hornet Last Ideas
Honda has given us two very totally different expressions of the streetfighter with the 2025 Hornet lineup, and each sting in their very own approach.
The CB750 Hornet is the scrappy boxer that’s light-weight, flickable, and loaded with attraction. It’s simple to journey however rewards confidence, and its parallel-Twin delivers simply the correct quantity of punch for real-world enjoyable. It’s perfect for newer riders or anybody who desires a motorbike that’s as playful as it’s sensible.
The CB1000 Hornet SP is the polished heavyweight that’s highly effective, refined, and high-tech. It brings in critical efficiency chops from the Fireblade household however is packaged for the road. For seasoned riders who need liter-bike energy with out sacrificing consolation, this one’s a knockout.
Maybe probably the most engaging issue to contemplate is the worth of those attractive machines, with the CB750 Hornet priced at $7,999 and the CB1000 Hornet SP at $10,999. These are aggressive costs when contemplating different bare bikes of their respective lessons.
Try extra new bikes in?Rider’s 2025 Motorbike Patrons Information?
2025 Honda CB750 Hornet Specs
- Base Worth: $7,999
- Web site: Powersports.Honda.com
- Guarantee: 1 yr., Unltd. mill
- Engine Sort: Liquid-cooled, transverse parallel-Twin, Unicam SOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.
- Displacement: 755cc
- Bore x Stroke: 87.0 x 63.5mm
- Horsepower: 83 hp @ 8,500 rpm (manufacturing facility declare)
- Torque: Na
- Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/help moist clutch
- Last Drive: Chain
- Wheelbase: 55.9 in.
- Rake/Path: 25 levels/3.9 in.
- Seat Peak: 31.3 in.
- Moist Weight: 422 lb (manufacturing facility declare)
- Gasoline Capability: 4.0 gal.
2025 Honda CB1000 Hornet SP Specs
- Base Worth: $10,999
- Web site: Powersports.Honda.com
- Guarantee: 1 yr., Unltd. mill
- Engine Sort: Liquid-cooled, transverse inline-4, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.
- Displacement: 1,000cc
- Bore x Stroke: 76.0 x 55.1mm
- Horsepower: 129 hp @ 9,000 rpm (manufacturing facility declare)
- Torque: Na
- Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/help moist clutch
- Last Drive: Chain
- Wheelbase: 57.3 in.
- Rake/Path: 25 levels/3.9 in.
- Seat Peak: 31.9 in.
- Moist Weight: 465 lb (manufacturing facility declare)
- Gasoline Capability: 4.5 gal.
